I’ve been covering high school sports for about four years, three of which have been full-time.
And before high school sports were my main focus, I spent three years covering sports at my alma mater, Georgia Southern University, with a large focus on GSU’s Division I FCS (formerly I-AA) powerhouse football program. I’ve seen dozens of home and away games — both as a die-hard fan in the bleachers and as a unbiased reporter in the press box.
Needless to say today, my allegiance remains with the die-hard fan part. Although many people may have never heard of my Eagles and their record six FCS national championships, I follow them just as someone would as a fan of more recognized FBS programs such as Alabama, Florida or Texas.
I follow fan forums, offseason recruiting and read practically any and everything that is ever written about the Eagles. When the season rolls around, while others are tuning into ESPN or CBS to watch their favorite teams on Saturdays, I’m likely hooking my laptop to my TV to stream the GSU games.
It’s not easy being such an avid fan of a school that doesn’t get a lot of media attention, especially now that I live in another state. I like to joke and say that I’m a bigger fan than most, because I have to work at being one.
I set all that up as backing for my next points.
Now that I’ve been covering high school sports, especially football, for a number of years, I’m beginning to see players I’ve covered at the prep level playing on Saturdays.
There’s been a few that went to FBS schools that I’ll see every now and then on TV, but most have gone to FCS and Division II schools.
I can think of about 10 players that signed with FCS schools from my previous coverage area. More than half went to programs in the Southern Conference (SoCon), the conference of my Eagles.
This is interesting for me to witness as a fan of GSU. I get to see how players, their teammates, friends, family and fans react to the schools they choose.
Here’s a common one: “You’re going where?”
And another: “I’ve never heard of that school.”
And, my personal favorite, “Do they play tackle football there?”
Last week, Strawberry Crest wide receiving standout Karel Hamilton committed to play for Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. The Bulldogs are the most recent members of the SoCon, joining in 2008. I covered the press conference at the SoCon Media Day in Greenville, N.C.
Hamilton chose Samford over Chattanooga, another SoCon team, and Coastal Carolina, a member of the Big South Conference, which is also in the FCS.
This puts me with a unique dilemma. Hamilton is a class act. He is respectful, a great student and a heck of a football player.
Samford is lucky to have him. In my opinion, any school would be.
On the other hand, when it comes to the college football fan in me, he is now a Bulldog. He’s the enemy. While they share a conference, Samford isn’t considered a rival of GSU, far from the hatred appointed to Furman and Appalachian State, but it’s still an interesting turn-of-events.
I guess I want him to succeed, just not if that means contributing to a loss for my Eagles, which ironically have three players from Mill Creek High, one of my former coverage schools.
Samford also has a player, Brandon Hayman, from Mill Creek, who reminds me a lot of Hamilton. Hayman was a standout in football (wide receiver) and basketball in high school, just like Hamilton. Hayman chose Samford for basketball and is currently in his sophomore season.
I wish for success for him in the same way, hoping he averages a double-double every game. Just not when taking on my Eagles.
I’ve covered some great prospects over these last few years, and Hamilton is certainly near the top of the list. I wish all of them could go to my alma mater, but I know that’s not realistic.
At this rate, in a few years, I’ll know the story of practically every kid playing in the Southern Conference.